Vice hit squads made 11 arrests and cautioned six women in a major crackdown on prostitution on Teesside overnight.

Officers were deployed to target an increase in the number of street girls plying their seedy trade outside homes in central Middlesbrough.

The special patrols discovered how kerb-crawlers are still prepared to risk the threat of being named and shamed in order to buy sex on the streets.

Sgt Paul Higgins, of Middlesbrough police vice unit, said: "This was an extremely successful operation resulting in a number of arrests of both kerb-crawlers and prostitutes.

"We are determined to arrest all those who enter Middlesbrough with the intention of causing annoyance and distress to the people who live here.

"We will continue to act swiftly and effectively to prosecute anyone involved in this kind of anti-social behaviour."

He added: "It is surprising to see these men still buying sex in Middlesbrough despite the threat of being named and shamed in the Gazette."

Of the six men arrested for kerb-crawling, three had travelled from London, Northumbria and Berwick.

The three Teessiders arrested told police they were fully aware of the Gazette's Kerb The Crawlers name and shame campaign.

One married 49-year-old, from Eston, told police: "I have read that the Gazette name and shame people but I had my mind on other things - I wasn't really thinking. When my family find out it will just ruin them."

The operation was sparked after officers carried out door-to-door inquiries in the town centre as part of the Darren Manders murder probe.

Residents told them about prostitutes moving into the area to sell sex outside their homes.

And even some officers were surprised at the number of street girls selling sex last night.

Twelve officers swooped as dozens of prostitutes flocked to streets around Middlesbrough train station, Borough Road and Woodlands Road to ply their trade.

The police teams, in unmarked vehicles, patrolled the town centre and arrested four females for loitering for the purpose of prostitution and one for soliciting for the purpose of prostitution.

All were charged and bailed to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

They also cautioned six women for loitering for the purpose of prostitution in the one-off operation.